Jasson Dominguez has been revelatory since being called up by the New York Yankees. Smacking home runs with ease since being called up. Alas, as has been the story with the Yankees all season – all good things end abruptly. With the news Dominguez needs Tommy John surgery, it’s yet another worst-case scenario. It’s been a less-than-ideal season for the Yankees, whether it was Aaron Judge‘s freak toe accident in Los Angeles or Anthony Rizzo‘s hot start ending with a season-long concussion. Or Domingo German‘s perfect game that followed up with a sudden departure from the team. It’s been that kind of season for the Yankees. The news that Dominguez tore his UCL and it out between six-ten months is a blow, as Dominguez’s surgery halts his incredible start to his Yankees career.
Jasson Domínguez has a torn UCL in his right elbow, per manager Aaron Boone. Boone provided updates on Domínguez’s status.
“With a position player, it’s usually 9-10 months.”
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Dominguez’s Surgery Halts Incredible Start
Dominguez Yankee career couldn’t have started better. Indeed, in his first career at-bat, against future Hall of Famer Justin Verlander no less, he smacked a 2-run homerun. He launched the ball 360 feet in his first big league swing. What a moment for the 20-year-old known as ‘The Martian.’
Furthermore, he didn’t stop there. Four home runs, seven RBI, and a huge .980 OPS. Including a .677 slug in just eight games. He hit in the heart of the order and mashed from the left side, hitting homers against every team he faced. Dominguez gave reasons for fans to fill the seats and watch him destroy big-league pitching. Completely undaunted, he seemed at ease with his surroundings despite his inexperience and limited time in AAA.
Yankee fans were already penciling him into the opening-day lineup in 2024 until the worst possible news happened. It has to be a devastating blow for the young prospect.
Tommy John Surgery prognosis
It’s a massive blow for the promising player and the Yankees’ ambitions to develop him throughout September. The worst-case scenario is a possible return to major league action next July.
However, the good news is he’s a position player, not a pitcher. For pitchers, the TJ Surgery news can be career-affecting. Although the surgery is common, there is no guarantee a pitcher will be the same pitcher afterward. However, in Dominguez’s case as a position player, there should be no such concerns. There is also a recent precedent that he can come back sooner. For instance, Shohei Ohtani was back in 6 months. Potentially ready for the middle of spring training. He’s 20 years old, so he certainly has youth on his side to help with a quicker return. It’s very much down to the individual.
There is every reason to believe Dominguez will be ready for next season by the summer at the latest. Hopefully, for the young prospect, this will be merely a temporary roadblock to an otherwise exciting career for ‘The Martian.’
How do the Yankees proceed with the news?
This injury news overshadowed their Sunday matinee win against the Brewers. No-Hit through 10 innings, but a tying 2-run bomb from Giancarlo Stanton forced an 11th inning, and Kyle Higashioka drilled a liner into the gap to win it. It was a small thing for the Bronx crowd to cheer about in an otherwise miserable season in Yankee land. Last place, below .500, and facing more questions than answers. This win granted them a brief reprieve. Now, the Yankees are looking at being short an outfielder.
Perhaps they finally call up their forgotten 25-year-old prospect, Estevan Florial. He has 28 home runs in AAA this year. However, he is still not on the team’s 40-man roster, meaning they’d need to cut someone to make room for him. The Yankees will likely use many Isiah Kiner Falefa in the outfield. He’s a valuable utility guy but should only play occasionally due to his light bat.
Other Options
Someone who is on the team’s 40-man is Franchy Cordero. However, despite being able to hit the occasional fastball into the seats, he can do little else – and is a horrific outfielder. Florial should get the call, but the Yankees have avoided considering him for whatever reason.
Alternatively, Oswaldo Cabrera may be moved to the corner outfield, and Everson Pereira could play center field for the rest of the season. At this stage, with the team playing out September, with little to play for but respectability- they should continue to look at their farm system. This plan has undoubtedly boosted the team: Austin Wells has looked comfortable, and Oswald Peraza‘s bat has turned around recently to go with his excellent glove.
As for 2024, Dominguez’s injury halts his incredible start, but hopefully, this will not affect his development and the Yankees’ plans for him next year.
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